It isn't for lack of trying. While Tigers scouts have been scattered across the Majors looking at potential trade target, team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski and his assistants are all gathered at Tropicana Field and will follow the team to Boston, where they'll be facing the Red Sox at the Deadline.

The Tigers are believed to have interest in Adam Dunn, the slugging Nationals first baseman. Given Washington's rumored desire for top young talent from other clubs, however, it's going to be difficult to find a match. Dunn is a free agent at season's end, and Dombrowski told reporters Sunday he will not trade top talent for a rental player.

It could well end up that the Nationals look at Detroit's secondary prospects, other than top pitchers Jacob Turner or Andy Oliver. It could also be that the Nationals use the interest pickup to draw what they want from other clubs, maybe the White Sox.

At this point, it appears unlikely that the Tigers will overwhelm a team with an offer for a trade target, definitely not ahead of the Deadline.